Thanks for the demo, excited to break my yes welder and spool gun next week. I am welding 1/16" square tubing so should I half the amps and double the speed?
Hello, welding 1/16" thick steel is something easy with a MIG welder, however, if you are new to welding MIG/spool gun aluminum, it will not be easy to weld thin aluminum with the spool gun. You should start by practicing on thick aluminum (1/8" or 1/4" thick). Once you master that, then start practicing with scrap pieces from the thin aluminum. For welding thinner aluminum with the spool gun, you have to lower the Voltage and also lower the feed rate. Spool gun thin aluminum can be done successfully but requires practice. It is easier to TIG thin aluminum (this requires square wave TIG welder) or Braze weld using aluminum brazing rods and oxy acetylene or oxy propane torch. Be safe and have a great day
You are right, I was welding 1/8" flat bar to the back of 1/16" diamond plate. I was 30psi argon, 16.3v to 17.7v and 10 wire speed and it was terrible. Very sooty and not enough penetration, but it holds. I just tacked it as it's a ramp for a cargo trailer and I have some work coming up and I need to use it. Thanks for the nuggets. Much appreciated 😊
You can use stainless steel wire, MIG wire, aluminum wire and Flux Core wire with any type of spool gun. You will have to change polarity and gas based on what you are using. It is better to use the spool gun for one type of wire to prevent contamination. You can use the mig welding touch for steel wire or stainless steel wire (using the original liner) and leave the spool gun for aluminum.
This is spool gun welding same as MIG welding. Using aluminum welding wire and argon for shielding gas. Spray transfer is a different type of welding technique. Thank you
My understanding of the spray transfer method (for MIG welding) is when the welding voltage is above 26 volts and the current around 250 amps with 80% (for steel) to 100% (steel or aluminum) argon for shield gas 0.8mm to 1mm of welding wire. This method should be used on thick metal for deep penetration.
My understanding is that spray transfer can be accomplished with aluminum wire using voltages as low as 19 volts. Short circuit welding with aluminum is not what you want
20 years ago I bought my first MIG welder and I also bought a small booklet explaining the different techniques for MIG welding for steel and aluminum. My comment was based on the information I received from that booklet. Since that booklet was printed, the welding Congress 😆 may added an amendment to the spray transfer to include spool gun at lower current and voltage. I really don't care what they call spool gun aluminum. As long as you know how to weld, you can call it whatever pleases your heart. Thank you for watching and I appreciate your comment.
